Man Charged in Connection With Stabbing That Led to Fatal Crash in Burbank

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A minivan struck and killed a pedestrian that was standing at a bus stop on Dec. 9, 2016. (Credit: KTLA)

Man Charged in Connection With Stabbing That Led to Fatal Crash in Burbank

A minivan struck and killed a pedestrian that was standing at a bus stop on Dec. 9, 2016. (Credit: KTLA)

A 24-year-old man pleaded not guilty in connection to a stabbing that led to a fatal crash in Burbank late last year, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday.

Haroution Vagarshak Stepanyan, of Glendale, allegedly stabbed a 33-year-old man in the chest near the intersection of Palm Avenue and Glenoaks Boulevard during an altercation on Dec. 9.

The man attempted to drive himself to a hospital, when he lost control near the intersection of Olive Avenue and San Fernando Boulevard and his minivan jumped the curb and drove down the sidewalk, according to the DA’s office.

He then struck Rodolfo Tan, 52, who was walking near a bus stop in the area. Tan became wedged under the vehicle, was extricated but later died at a hospital.

Stepanyan was arrested Tuesday and pleaded not guilty Wednesday to one count each of murder and attempted murder, officials said.

The man who struck Tan survived, but was not identified. No charges have been filed against the driver, officials said.

Burbank police officials said during a news conference Wednesday that the altercation that led to the stabbing appears to have been a road rage incident.

Stepanyan’s bail was set at $2 million, officials said. He faces life in prison if convicted as charged.